This may seem like a noob question, but I am, so therefore it is.

My 1989 NC30 engine is showing signs of its age, the rear is ok, hidden from the elements, but the front is rough.
Before I took the engine out of the frame, it worked fine. But I kinda wanted to put it back looking all shiney and new(ish).

But I don't want to take it apart, it works, and if I take it apart I'm afraid it wont work.

So what are my options ?

I have seen pics where it appears people have stripped back to bare metal, wont this require lacquer? granted it Aluminium so wont rust but it will tarnish/corrode eventually. I quite like that bare metal look. But would prefer that just off the production line metalic grey or similar

Like I said, I'm new to all this so I have no idea.....any suggestions gratefully accepted..

jay3 wrote:This may seem like a noob question, but I am, so therefore it is.

My 1989 NC30 engine is showing signs of its age, the rear is ok, hidden from the elements, but the front is rough.
Before I took the engine out of the frame, it worked fine. But I kinda wanted to put it back looking all shiney and new(ish).

But I don't want to take it apart, it works, and if I take it apart I'm afraid it wont work.

So what are my options ?

I have seen pics where it appears people have stripped back to bare metal, wont this require lacquer? granted it Aluminium so wont rust but it will tarnish/corrode eventually. I quite like that bare metal look. But would prefer that just off the production line metalic grey or similar

Like I said, I'm new to all this so I have no idea.....any suggestions gratefully accepted..

Unless laqured the bare alu will tarnish in a few hours / days.

When the laquer starts to go it'll all go mankey too.

PJ1 do a range of engine case paints that are designed for this purpose and come out really good if you take your time and do it properly. They do a few colours including a silver.

I'd mask everything you dont want painted and paint it.

If you're ok with black: BBQ enamel on the block, and plastikote on the side cases. Clean the whole engine with degreaser (gunk), then a brass brush to remove flaky bits then degrease again really thoroughly (White spirit / meths). Paint block with BBQ paint, this goes on satin/matt and holds heat well. Doesn't need a primer. Then remove side covers (sorry you will have to, so get some OE gaskets in stock ready), chemically strip (nitromors) all paint including your overspray, prime and paint with plastikote. You can take the opportunity to use body filler on any scrapes. Plastikote goes on with a finish like powdercoat and withstands heat easy. Replace screws with stainless or have originals replated. Or clean with brass brush only, steel brush will strip the zinc and they rust fast.

I did the job on a CB-1 engine. I had a knakered exhaust to help cover the ex ports but not really necessary just stick a rag in there. Duck tape over the inlet tracts. in this picture the engine is done except the valve cover as I hadnt decided whether to polish that. The paint looked good 2 years (winters) / @15k later, and probably still does now. Just be sure to get every flaky bit off, that's the only areas this engine suffered, right around the ex ports where I didn't prep thoroughly enough.



Problem with this on a 30 is going to be that you will also have to remove the exhaust. But you won't get a decent job without removing the engine. Best "easy" option is to remove the side covers and repaint, or even send for powder coating.

The PJ1 paints dont' need primer either and you can get them for 3-4 a can.

The 'Gloss' black is very good. I've got some pictures of some Engine cases I did i'll dig up and post for you.

+1 for the PJ1 gloss black. Just recently used this to do my engine and it worked a treat.

amorti wrote:If you're ok with black

black is good, not a problem..

amorti wrote: Then remove side covers (sorry you will have to, so get some OE gaskets in stock ready

this isnt an issue, I meant completely strip the engine, already taken these and cam covers off. Just didn't want to go any further than that if It could be helped.

amorti wrote:in this picture the engine is done except the valve cover as I hadnt decided whether to polish that. The paint looked good 2 years (winters) / @15k later, and probably still does now. J

That pic looks exactly what Im after. Looks all shiney and new...

thanks all...

Mine came up nicely after 2 coats of gloss black PJ1

PJ1 comes in a wide range of color..

jay3 wrote:PJ1 comes in a wide range of color..

Color????????

Have to say Snarks motor does look the dogs

Sorry, colours...
But if you weren't correcting my english, then yes you get the choice of black or black, but you do get the choice of satin or gloss. Seems they stopped doing colours a while back. Or at least thats what I read on an american forum, and there is no sign of nay other colours on the pj1 website.

Im keen for the satin black myself like this http://www.600rr.net/vb/showpost.php?p= ... stcount=11